State tells schools to finish RSU plans
Bangor Daily News, September 26, 2007
(excerpt) While the majority of Maine schools have identified their consolidation partners and have moved into the planning phase, the Department of Education is pressing the few that have not to find a workable plan.
Department spokesman David Connerty-Marin said Tuesday that 80 percent of the state’s 290 school units filed notices of intent to consolidate with their neighbors that comply with state guidelines.
Of the other 20 percent, he said most were not in compliance for technical reasons while about a dozen areas in the state were resisting merger plans. He said the department’s Reorganization Implementation Team would meet with those units in the coming days.
"We are planning meetings with those units for the next few weeks and it could take a number of meetings," he said. "Finances have been a big part of it for those units. Some of their financial analysis showed them losing state subsidy if they consolidate."
Connerty-Marin acknowledged that the department has encountered some unforeseen difficulties within the consolidation law that will need to be revised by the Legislature next year. Under the current system, he said, some school units that receive the minimum state subsidy would be harmed financially by consolidation.
(excerpt) While the majority of Maine schools have identified their consolidation partners and have moved into the planning phase, the Department of Education is pressing the few that have not to find a workable plan.
Department spokesman David Connerty-Marin said Tuesday that 80 percent of the state’s 290 school units filed notices of intent to consolidate with their neighbors that comply with state guidelines.
Of the other 20 percent, he said most were not in compliance for technical reasons while about a dozen areas in the state were resisting merger plans. He said the department’s Reorganization Implementation Team would meet with those units in the coming days.
"We are planning meetings with those units for the next few weeks and it could take a number of meetings," he said. "Finances have been a big part of it for those units. Some of their financial analysis showed them losing state subsidy if they consolidate."
Connerty-Marin acknowledged that the department has encountered some unforeseen difficulties within the consolidation law that will need to be revised by the Legislature next year. Under the current system, he said, some school units that receive the minimum state subsidy would be harmed financially by consolidation.
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